Letters to the Editor: Food aid shouldn't be in mix of federal cuts

The U.S. House of Representatives is currently considering devastating cuts to federal safety net programs that support struggling families for the remainder of fiscal year 2011 (through September).

The President’s budget request extends similar cuts for the next fiscal year 2012. Cuts to any safety net programs will make it harder for these families to make ends meet, and will increase the number of people seeking food assistance. Demand for emergency food is already at an all time high, with 13 percent of all Western Mass. residents experiencing food insecurity, and 22 percent more people seeking food assistance in 2010 than in 2006.